Music giants sue Suno over AI training and voice cloning

A dual legal offensive

Two of the most recognizable names in music history have entered the courtroom against the AI music generator Suno. Elvis Presley’s rights holders and the publisher of Eminem’s music have filed separate lawsuits against the company. Both cases share a common target and a legal team, leading to very similar complaints regarding how the technology was built.

The Presley case was initiated by Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages the singer's catalog, name, and likeness. This group is a unit of the licensing company Authentic Brands Group. They are joined in the suit by Raleigh Music Publishing to protect the rights associated with Presley's massive body of work.

On the other side, Eight Mile Style filed a suit in San Francisco on behalf of Eminem's compositions. This publisher controls hundreds of the rapper's hits, such as "Lose Yourself" and "The Real Slim Shady." While Eminem himself is not a plaintiff, the publisher is seeking damages for the use of the works it administers.

The mechanics of the claims

The core of the dispute involves how Suno trained its AI models. The plaintiffs argue that the company used copyrighted music without permission to teach the system how to generate new audio. They also claim the platform allows users to create tracks that mimic the specific styles and lyrics of established artists.

Eight Mile Style highlights that Suno's safety filters can be bypassed. While the company blocks prompts that name specific artists, users can often get around these restrictions by typing in strings of style terms. The publisher argues that the primary issue is what was used to build the system, not just what users are allowed to type into the prompt box.

The Presley lawsuit goes even further by making legally novel claims about voice cloning. The rights holders argue that Suno allows users to replicate Presley's "unmistakable and iconic voice." They also allege that the company violated the ELVIS Act, a 2024 Tennessee law designed to protect a performer's voice and likeness from unauthorized AI use.

The price of infringement

The lawsuit involving Eminem's catalog puts a specific price tag on the alleged violations. Eight Mile Style is seeking more than $41 million in total damages. This figure is calculated based on a request for $150,000 for each of the 269 compositions involved in the dispute.

This specific amount corresponds to the maximum statutory damages allowed under U.S. law for willful copyright infringement. However, the final amount awarded by a court, if any is granted, typically depends on what a judge or jury determines. The publisher also requested an additional $672,000 for the alleged removal of copyright information from the works.

Suno has denied any wrongdoing in response to these claims. A company spokesperson stated that the platform exists to help people create original music and does not aim to trade on anyone's likeness. They maintain that they work with outside providers to screen uploaded content for potential misuse and ban prompts for specific songs.

A growing legal landscape

These new lawsuits are part of a much larger trend of litigation against generative AI. All three major record labels sued Suno in 2024, alleging that over 61,000 tracks were used for training without permission. Additionally, more than 1,800 independent artists have backed class action suits against both Suno and its competitor, Udio.

The legal landscape is complex because different types of deals cover different rights. For example, a major label deal might not cover independent artists or specific publishers like Eight Mile Style. This leaves a significant gap where independent creators and specific publishers are left to seek their own legal protections.

While some companies have found common ground, others remain in conflict. Warner Music Group recently settled with Suno and formed a partnership, though the financial terms were not disclosed. These ongoing cases will eventually test how the law handles training data and whether a ruling on voice cloning under the ELVIS Act will set a national precedent.

Suno's rapid expansion

Despite the legal hurdles, Suno has seen explosive growth in a very short period. The company raised $400 million in a Series D round in June 2026, which brought its valuation to $5.4 billion. This valuation represents a massive jump from its $2.45 billion valuation just seven months prior.

The company's user base has also expanded rapidly, passing 2 million paid subscribers in early 2026. At the time of its latest funding round, Suno reported reaching $300 million in annual recurring revenue. These numbers reflect the high demand for AI-generated music tools despite the mounting litigation from the music industry.

Currently, users are reported to generate more than 7 million tracks every single day on the platform. As the legal process unfolds, the outcome of these cases will likely shape how AI firms handle protected works. The results could determine the future of how generative technology interacts with the multi-billion dollar music industry.